Fuse cutout with dome top contact and knurled fuseholder cap

Abstract

A fuse cutout for connection to a power source includes a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of the mounting. The upper support member includes a first contact having opposing first and second end portions, with the first end portion being attached to the upper support member, and a dome portion disposed between the first and second end portions. The dome portion includes opposing first and second dome surfaces and a first ridge extending along the second dome surface. A holder member is fixedly attached to the lower support member of the mounting. A pivot member is received in the holder member at a first pivot point, the pivot member being movable between first and second positions. A fuseholder is movable between closed and open positions and has upper and lower ends. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the pivot member at a second pivot point. The upper end has an engagement surface for engaging the first ridge of the dome portion of the first contact of the mounting forming an electrical connection therewith.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A fuse cutout for connection to a power source, comprising: 
       a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of said mounting, respectively, said upper support member including a first contact extending therefrom, said first contact having opposing first and second end portions, a length defined between said first and second end portions, and a dome portion disposed between said first and second end portions, said first end portion being attached to said upper support member, said dome portion including opposing first and second dome surfaces and a first ridge extending along said second dome surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis extending along the length of said first contact;  
       a holder member fixedly attached to said lower support member of said mounting;  
       a pivot member received in said holder member at a first pivot point, said pivot member being movable between first and second positions; and  
       a fuseholder movable between closed and open positions and having upper and lower ends, said lower end being pivotally coupled to said pivot member at a second pivot point, and said upper end having an engagement surface for engaging said first ridge of said dome portion of said first contact of said mounting forming an electrical connection therewith.  
     
     
       2. A fuse cutout according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       said upper end of said fuseholder has a cap with opposing top and bottom portions and a middle portion extending therebetween, said top portion having a substantially knurled outer surface for frictional engagement with said second dome surface of said first contact.  
     
     
       3. A fuse cutout according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       said second dome surface includes a second ridge.  
     
     
       4. A fuse cutout according to  claim 3 , wherein 
       said second ridge is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis extending along the length of said first contact.  
     
     
       5. A fuse cutout according to  claim 4 , wherein 
       said dome portion includes first and second sections, said first section including said first and second ridges, said second section including a third ridge, said third ridge being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
       6. A fuse cutout according to  claim 5 , wherein 
       said second section includes fourth and fifth ridges, each of said fourth and fifth ridges extending at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
       7. A fuse cutout according to  claim 6 , wherein 
       said first dome surface is substantially convex; and  
       said second dome surface is substantially concave.  
     
     
       8. A fuse cutout according to  claim 7 , wherein 
       each of said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth ridges are located on said second surface.  
     
     
       9. A fuse cutout according to  claim 8 , wherein 
       said first section of said dome portion has a first slope; and  
       said second section of said dome portion has a second slope, said second slope being substantially greater than said first slope.  
     
     
       10. A fuse cutout according to  claim 9 , wherein 
       said first contact is formed of a highly conductive material.  
     
     
       11. A fuse cutout according to  claim 10 , wherein 
       a biasing member is disposed between said upper support member and said first contact surface of said first contact.  
     
     
       12. A fuse cutout according to  claim 11 , wherein 
       a fuse element is disposed within said fuseholder, said fuseholder having first and second portions, said first portion being coupled with said fuseholder and said second portion being coupled with said pivot member.  
     
     
       13. A fuse cutout according to  claim 12 , wherein 
       said holder member includes a second contact, said first and second contacts creating a current path through said fuse element.  
     
     
       14. A fuse cutout according to  claim 13 , wherein said first contact is a one-piece unitary member. 
     
     
       15. A fuse cutout for connection to a power source, comprising: 
       a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of said mounting, respectively, said upper support member including a first contact extending in a cantilever manner therefrom, said first contact being formed of substantially pure copper, said first contact having opposing first and second contact surfaces, opposing first and second end portions with said first end portion attached to said upper support member, and a first stiffening rib extending along either of said first and second contact surfaces and between said first and second end portions resisting bending of said first contact;  
       a holder member fixedly attached to said lower support member of said mounting;  
       a pivot member received in said holder member at a first pivot point, said pivot member being movable between first and second positions; and  
       a fuseholder movable between closed and open positions and having upper and lower ends, said lower end being pivotally coupled to said pivot member at a second pivot point, and said upper end having an engagement surface for engaging said first contact of said mounting forming an electrical connection therewith.  
     
     
       16. A fuse cutout according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       said first contact is formed of at least about 99.90 percent of pure copper by weight.  
     
     
       17. A fuse cutout according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       said upper end of said fuseholder has a cap with opposing top and bottom portions and a middle portion extending therebetween, said top portion having a substantially knurled outer surface for frictional engagement with said first contact.  
     
     
       18. A fuse cutout according to  claim 15 , wherein 
       said first contact includes a dome portion disposed between said first and second ends portions, said dome portion having opposing first and second dome surfaces, said first dome surface being substantially convex, and said second dome surface being substantially concave.  
     
     
       19. A fuse cutout according to  claim 18 , wherein 
       said dome portion includes first and second sections, said first section having a first slope and said second section having a second slope, said second slope being substantially greater than said first slope.  
     
     
       20. A fuse cutout, comprising 
       a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of said mounting, respectively, said upper support member including a first contact extending therefrom, said first contact being formed of substantially pure copper, said first contact having opposing first and second contact surfaces, opposing first and second end portions with said first end portion attached to said upper support member, and a first rib extending along either of said first and second contact surfaces;  
       a holder member fixedly attached to said lower support member of said mounting;  
       a pivot member received in said holder member at a first pivot point, said pivot member being movable between first and second positions;  
       a fuseholder movable between closed and open positions and having upper and lower ends, said lower end being pivotally coupled to said pivot member at a second pivot point, and said upper end having an engagement surface for engaging said first contact of said mounting forming an electrical connection therewith;  
       said first contact includes a dome portion disposed between said first and second ends portions, said dome portion having opposing first and second dome surfaces, said first dome surface being substantially convex, and said second dome surface being substantially concave;  
       said dome portion includes first and second sections, said first section having a first slope and said second section having a second slope, said second slope being substantially greater than said first slope; and  
       said first contact includes a second rib extending along one of said first and second contact surfaces.  
     
     
       21. A fuse cutout according to  claim 20 , wherein 
       said first and second ribs extending along said second contact surface of said first contact.  
     
     
       22. A fuse cutout according to  claim 21 , wherein 
       said first contact includes opposing substantially parallel peripheral edges; and  
       said first and second ribs are disposed adjacent and parallel to said peripheral edges, respectively.  
     
     
       23. A fuse cutout according to  claim 22 , wherein 
       a biasing member is disposed between said upper support member and said first contact surface of said first contact; and  
       a fuse element is disposed within said fuseholder, said fuseholder having first and second portions, said first portion being coupled with said fuseholder and said second portion being coupled with said pivot member.  
     
     
       24. A fuse cutout according to  claim 23 , wherein 
       said holder member includes a second contact, said first and second contacts creating a current path through said fuse element.  
     
     
       25. A fuse cutout according to  claim 24 , wherein said first contact is a one-piece unitary member. 
     
     
       26. A fuse cutout, comprising: 
       a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of said mounting, respectively, said upper support member including a first contact extending therefrom, said first contact having opposing first and second contact surfaces, a first end portion attached to said upper support member, a second end portion opposite said first end, and a dome portion disposed between said first and second end portions;  
       a holder member fixedly attached to said lower support member of said mounting;  
       a pivot member received in said holder member at a first pivot point, said pivot member being movable between first and second positions; and  
       a fuseholder movable between closed and open positions and including upper and lower ends, said lower end being pivotally coupled to said pivot member at a second pivot point, and said upper end having a cap with opposing top and bottom portions and a middle portion extending therebetween, said top portion having a substantially knurled outer surface;  
       said dome portion includes opposing first and second dome surfaces;  
       a first ridge extends along said second dome surface; and  
       said knurled outer surface of said cap engages said first ridge when said fuseholder is in said closed position,  
       whereby said first and second positions of said pivot member correspond to said closed and open positions of said fuseholder, respectively, and said knurled outer surface of said cap frictional engages said dome portion of said first contact when said fuseholder is in said closed position forming an electrical connection therewith.  
     
     
       27. A fuse cutout according to  claim 26 , wherein 
       said dome portion includes a second ridge extending along said second dome surface.  
     
     
       28. A fuse cutout according to  claim 27 , wherein 
       said first dome surface is substantially convex; and  
       said second dome surface is substantially concave.  
     
     
       29. A fuse cutout according to  claim 27 , wherein 
       said dome portion includes first and second sections;  
       said first and second ridges are located at said first section; and  
       a third ridge extends along said second dome surface remote from said first and second ridges at a said second section.  
     
     
       30. A fuse cutout according to  claim 27 , wherein 
       said first dome surface has a first slope; and  
       said second dome surface has a second slope, said second slope being substantially greater than said first slope.  
     
     
       31. A fuse cutout according to  claim 27 , wherein 
       said first contact has a longitudinal axis extending along a length of said first contact, first and second ribs extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis along said second contact surface.  
     
     
       32. A fuse cutout according to  claim 27 , wherein 
       said knurled outer surface of said top portion of said cap extends around a smooth central surface of said top portion.  
     
     
       33. A fuse cutout according to  claim 32 , wherein 
       a biasing member is disposed between said upper support member and said first contact surface of said first contact; and  
       a fuse element is disposed within said fuseholder, said fuseholder having first and second portions, said first portion being coupled with said fuseholder and said second portion being coupled with said pivot member.  
     
     
       34. A fuse cutout according to  claim 33 , wherein 
       said holder member includes a second contact, said first and second contacts creating a current path through said fuse element.  
     
     
       35. A fuse cutout according to  claim 34 , wherein 
       when said first and second portions of said fuse element are connected, said pivot member is in said first position, and said fuseholder is in said closed position.  
     
     
       36. A fuse cutout according to  claim 35 , wherein 
       when said first and second portions of said fuse element are disconnected, said pivot member is in said second position, and said fuseholder is in said open position.